One of the Opry's longest members, Jimmy C. Newman is celebrating his 83rd birthday today. He was born on August 27, 1927 near Big Momou, Louisiana. "A Fallen Star" and "Cry Cry Darling" are his two biggest country hits. While he always did a bit of Cajun music, as his recording career declined in the late 1960's and into the 1970's, he formed an almost exclusive Cajun band and became more identified as a singing "Cajun country."
Jimmy has been honored with numerous awards including election into the North American Country Music Association's International Hall of Fame and has been elected into the Cajun Hall of Fame.
He joined the Grand Ole Opry in August 1956 and on August 12, 2006, he was honored for being a Grand Ole Opry member for 50 years.
In honor of Jimmy C. Newman's birthday, here is the Opry line-up from Saturday August 12, 2006.
6:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Mel McDaniel; Billy Joe Shaver
7:00: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers(host); Martina McBride; Julie Roberts; Lee Roy Parnell
8:00: Jim Ed Brown(host); Helen Cornelius; Jan Howard; The Whites; Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C. Newman
I remember how offended many of us were that he didn't get honored on the TV portion. But he was my mother's all-time favorite and still a favorite of mine. I had the thrill of meeting him, and he truly is a gentleman in every way.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right regarding Jimmy. I had the honor of also meeting him about 15 years ago and he was very nice and enjoyable to talk with.
ReplyDeleteI know that Opry is not on tv now, but when it was, every member should have been honored on their 50th anniversary with being on the televised portion.
Now that there is no tv, they should have a segment honoring them, not just 5 minutes and a song.
They do it for a select few, and used to do it for everyone. But, they should do it for all.
And, I did not forget!!! Today (Saturday August 28, is Billy Grammer's 85th birthday.
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